Elina Svitolina has a way of reminding people that tennis careers rarely follow a straight line. From a teenage debut in Odesa to a career-high world No. 3 ranking, marriage to fellow tennis star Gaël Monfils, and the birth of her daughter Skaï in October 2022, her path has been anything but predictable. Since returning to the tour after maternity leave, she has not only climbed back into the top 20 but also taken a stand on the court that has sparked international debate — and stayed true to her values.

Highest WTA ranking: World No. 3 (2017) ·
Married to: Gaël Monfils (since July 16, 2021) ·
Child: Daughter Skaï (born October 2022) ·
Nationality: Ukrainian ·
Career titles: 17 WTA singles titles

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact details of Gaël Monfils’ illness (reported as respiratory issues, not officially confirmed)
  • Exact cause of Svitolina’s foot surgery (not specified)
  • Exact birth date of daughter Skaï (not publicly disclosed)
  • Exact date of return to tour after maternity (only year 2023 known)
  • Exact prize money total (estimated over $23 million)
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Continues to compete on WTA tour after foot surgery in 2024 (Roland Garros (player profile))
  • Active in charity and activism for Ukraine (Wikipedia (biography page))

Six key data points, one pattern: Svitolina’s life is a mix of elite athletic achievement and deeply personal milestones that keep reshaping her public identity.

Label Value
Full name Elina Mykhailivna Svitolina
Date of birth September 12, 1994
Age 30 (as of 2025)
Height 1.74 m (5 ft 8.5 in)
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach Andrew Bettles
Prize money Over $23 million

Are Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina still together?

Yes. As of 2025, the couple remains together and lives in Monaco with their daughter Skaï. They married on July 16, 2021, and have been frequently seen supporting each other at tournaments (Wikipedia (biography page)).

When did Svitolina and Monfils get married?

The wedding took place on July 16, 2021, in a private ceremony. The couple had been dating since 2019 and got engaged in April 2021 (Wikipedia (biography page)).

Do Svitolina and Monfils live together?

Yes, they reside in Monaco, where they share a home with their daughter (Wikipedia (biography page)).

The implication: Their relationship has remained stable even as both players navigate comeback seasons and the added demands of parenthood.

Has Elina Svitolina had a baby?

Yes. Svitolina and Monfils welcomed their first child, a daughter named Skaï, in October 2022 (Language Lab (tennis profile)). She returned to the WTA tour in 2023, just a few months after giving birth (Roland Garros (player profile)).

What is the name of Svitolina’s daughter?

Her name is Skaï (Language Lab (tennis profile)).

When was Svitolina’s baby born?

October 2022. The exact date has not been publicly disclosed (Language Lab (tennis profile)).

What this means: Becoming a mother has not slowed her competitive drive – she reached a Wimbledon semifinal in 2023, proving elite tennis and parenthood can coexist.

Where does Elina Svitolina live?

Svitolina lives in Monaco with her husband Gaël Monfils and their daughter (Wikipedia (biography page)). The principality is a common base for professional tennis players due to its tax advantages and training facilities.

Do Monfils and Svitolina live in Monaco?

Yes, they are residents of Monaco and have been based there since before they married (Wikipedia (biography page)).

The trade-off: Monaco offers privacy and a favourable environment for two elite athletes, but it also keeps them away from family in Ukraine and France.

What surgery did Elina Svitolina have?

She underwent foot surgery in 2024 to address an ongoing issue. The procedure was successful, and she returned to competition later that year (Roland Garros (player profile)).

Why did Svitolina need surgery?

The exact cause has not been specified, but foot problems are common among tennis players due to high impact and sudden directional changes. She had been managing discomfort for several months before opting for surgery (Roland Garros (player profile)).

Why this matters: At 30, any surgery carries recovery risks, but Svitolina’s quick return suggests a strong physical resilience and committed support team.

Who did Elina Svitolina refuse to shake hands with?

At the 2023 French Open, Svitolina refused the customary post-match handshake with Belarusian player Aryna Sabalenka. She has maintained this policy against all Russian and Belarusian opponents since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 (ESPN (tennis news)).

Why did Svitolina refuse handshake with Aryna Sabalenka?

Svitolina cited the Russian war against Ukraine as the reason. She later said Sabalenka’s decision to wait at the net “made it worse” because it drew extra attention to the snub (ESPN (tennis news)).

The pattern: This is not an isolated moment – Svitolina has consistently used her platform to protest the war, and the handshake policy has become a deliberate, painful symbol of her stance.

Timeline of key moments

  • 1994 – Born in Odesa, Ukraine (Roland Garros (player profile))
  • 2010 – Turned professional (Roland Garros (player profile))
  • 2013 – First WTA title at Baku Cup (Language Lab (tennis profile))
  • September 2017 – Career-high ranking of world No. 3 (UNITED24 (ambassador page))
  • 2018 – Won WTA Finals (Roland Garros (player profile))
  • 2020 – Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo (UNITED24 (ambassador page))
  • July 16, 2021 – Married Gaël Monfils (Wikipedia (biography page))
  • October 2022 – Daughter Skaï born (Language Lab (tennis profile))
  • 2023 – Returned to tour; Wimbledon semifinal; handshake controversy (Roland Garros (player profile))
  • 2024 – Foot surgery (Roland Garros (player profile))

The implication: These milestones show how Svitolina’s personal and professional life are intertwined, with each phase adding new layers to her public identity.

Clarity check

Confirmed facts

  • Married to Gaël Monfils since July 16, 2021 (Wikipedia)
  • Daughter Skaï born October 2022 (Language Lab)
  • Resides in Monaco (Wikipedia)
  • Underwent foot surgery in 2024 (Roland Garros)
  • Refused handshake with Aryna Sabalenka at 2023 French Open (ESPN)
  • Career-high ranking world No. 3 (UNITED24)

What’s unclear

  • Exact details of Gaël Monfils’ illness (reported as respiratory issues, not officially confirmed)
  • Exact cause of Svitolina’s foot surgery (not specified)
  • Exact birth date of daughter Skaï (not publicly disclosed)
  • Exact date of return to tour after maternity (only year 2023 known)

What this means: The confirmed facts are well-documented, while the unclear areas leave room for speculation, but do not impact the core narrative of Svitolina’s resilience.

Quotes from Elina Svitolina

“I think she waited on purpose. She waited to see if I would change my mind. It made it worse.”

— Elina Svitolina on Aryna Sabalenka’s handshake wait, ESPN (tennis news)

After her return to the tour, Svitolina expressed gratitude for being able to compete while balancing family life (Roland Garros (player profile)).

Svitolina’s journey from teenage prodigy to mother and activist shows that a tennis career can be both a personal and political statement. For Ukrainian fans watching from afar, her refusal to shake hands with opponents from Russia and Belarus is not a gesture – it’s a daily reminder that the war is still going on. The choice for Svitolina moving forward is clear: keep competing at the highest level while using every match as a chance to be heard, or narrow her focus to pure athletics. So far, she is doing both.

Additional sources

youtube.com, facebook.com, elinasvitolinafoundation.org, reddit.com, espn.com, tennisnow.com, youtube.com

Frequently asked questions

Is the marriage between Gaël Monfils and Elina Svitolina still intact?

Yes, they are still together as of 2025. They married on July 16, 2021, and live in Monaco with their daughter Skaï.

Did Elina Svitolina become a mother?

Yes, she gave birth to a daughter named Skaï in October 2022.

What is the current residence of Elina Svitolina?

She lives in Monaco with her husband Gaël Monfils and their daughter.

Which surgery did Elina Svitolina undergo?

She underwent foot surgery in 2024 and has since returned to competition.

What is known about Gaël Monfils’ health issue?

The exact details are not confirmed; reports mention respiratory issues, but nothing officially diagnosed.

Why did Elina Svitolina refuse a handshake at the 2023 French Open?

She refused to shake hands with Aryna Sabalenka, as part of her policy against Russian and Belarusian players since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

How many languages does Elina Svitolina speak?

She speaks Ukrainian, Russian, English, and French.

What is Elina Svitolina’s current WTA ranking?

As of early 2025, she is ranked No. 23 in the world (WTA singles rankings).

The takeaway: These answers consolidate the most searched questions about Svitolina, providing a quick reference for readers.

For more on professional tennis journeys, see Frances Tiafoe: Biography, Relationships, Career Highlights and Destanee Aiava Retires at 25: Ranking, Stats & Net Worth.